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4 The Strategy in a nutshell Why do we have macro-regional strategies? Structure: Rolling Action Plan with priority areas, horizontal actions and flagship projects Aim: Better use of existing institutions, funding and legislation Governance: Policy development by the Council; Coordination, monitoring and follow-up by the Commission; Implementation by international, national, regional or local bodies

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5 Cooperation with neighbours To build on existing structures, such as the Northern Dimension, CBSS, NCM and HELCOM Good on-going dialogue with the Russian Federation, agreement on projects of joint interest Regional cooperation with coastal regions: –Turku-process –CBSS South East Baltic Area

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6 WHERE ARE WE NOW? 2.

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7 State of play : Review Autumn 2012: Update of the Action Plan  Strategy 2.0 June 2013: Evaluation of macro-regional strategies

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11 Roles and responsibilities To make work transparent and effective Key tasks of all main stakeholder groups were identified by a representative task-force Endorsed by the Council and included in the updated Action Plan A handbook to be published with extensive descriptions, explanations and examples

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12 Better Communication Cooperation with Interact on new website, newsletter, visual identity. Needs analysis conducted Better involvement of stakeholders Through multi-level governance, clearer roles… Political commitment and policy alignment Continuous visibility and relevance to ensure commitment at all levels Strategy included in relevant Council agendas

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13 Better financing Macro-regional strategies to be accommodated in the new EU programming period Importance of technical assistance funds Seed money facility to ensure the development of good, relevant projects

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14 The future programming period Macro-regional strategies included in the draft regulations, especially: –Common provisions, Art. 14(a)v: Partnership Contracts to take account, where appropriate, of macro-regional strategies –Common provisions, Art. 87(c)vi: Relevant Operational Programmes to set out their planned interventions to support the Strategy –ETC regulation, Art. 6(b) allowing transnational programmes to support implementation (TA)